Owner Laughs Off Idea Of His Track As A Ballpark Site

Asked if the Marlins had contacted him about building a stadium on the site of the historic racetrack, Brunetti laughed. "Not a word."

"I have no idea what they're talking about," he said. "Maybe it's some kind of facade, a diversion."

The Marlins met with Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina two weeks ago to discuss two sites to build a stadium: Hialeah Park and a tract of land west of I-75.

Although Hialeah Park has not held thoroughbred races since 2001, parts of the facility, including the grandstand and clubhouse, track and infield lake, home to dozens of flamingos, is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1988 it became eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Brunetti, who has grown disenchanted with the deregulation of racing dates in Florida, is going through the process of rezoning the more than 200 acres of Hialeah Park. He added that he had also not spoken to Robaina.

Marlins President David Samson said Saturday at FanFest at Dolphins Stadium that he had not spoken to Brunetti but that all negotiations would go through the mayor's office.

Although Samson indicated he knew the historical significance of the track, he said: "It's definitely a viable site. It has its issues, but it's viable."